Makerere University, College of Health Sciences, (MUCHS)

English

Digital Library of the Tanzania Health Community

African Health Sciences Vol 13  Issue 2 June  2013 i
Nodding syndrome, infections and sexuality
Nodding syndrome:
Nodding syndrome has indeed become a very
disturbing disorder of children and young adults
living in environs heavily infested with Oncocerca volvulus
and compounded by extreme poverty and
socioeconomic deprivation.1  Teams from Uganda
and Tanzania have put together several articles and
these have been published in this month’s African
Health Sciences.
In the first of these seminal papers, US and
Tanzanian researchers2 describe the earliest recorded
cases of Nodding syndrome from Tanzania, with
special reference to the earliest reported dates of
onset. They show that this syndrome has been in
Tanzania for at least 80 years!
In a related paper Spencer and others3 report
‘environmental, nutritional, infectious, and other
factors that existed before and during the de novo
1991 appearance and subsequent increase in cases
of Nodding syndrome’ in South Sudan in 2001.
Musisi4 reports neuropsychiatric perspectives on
Nodding syndrome in northern Uganda. Ugandan
researchers on the other hand propose ‘guidelines
for the management of nodding syndrome’, 5 while
Winkler and others describe MRI findings among
Nodding syndrome patients seen in Tanzania.6
Clearly, Nodding syndrome is taking center stage in
our current thinking about emerging and re-emerging
diseases in Africa.
Viral infections and STIs:
There are several other papers on infectious diseases
such as  one on Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever,7
use of DNA microarrays in human
cytomegalovirus8; and hepatitis C among sickle cell
patients in Uganda.9 Others include ‘baboons as
potential reservoirs of zoonotic’ parasites,10
intravenous immunoglobulin use in intensive care,11
and sleeping sickness in Gabon.12
West African authors report on HIV/AIDS;.13,14,15
Mondal16 describes factors affecting the HIV/AIDS
epidemic, while Uganda workers report on personal
barriers to antiretroviral therapy adherence.17 South
African workers18 report on traditional remedies for
STIs, while from India we have a report on an
antiviral surgical gown.19
Editorial
Other infections
We have several other papers on infectious
diseases.20,21,22, 23
Scientists24 report anti-inflammatory properties of
Capsaicin in rats, and use of non-carbapenem-based
antibacterial therapy in patients with malignancies.25
Dejavu? Kassaye et al26 report results of their
evaluation of amoxicillin capsules, while Siziya
reminds us about correlates of diarrhea;27 followed
by  ‘sonographic biometry’ of the spleen.28
Sexuality:
‘Gynaecological laparoscopy courses29; effects and
satisfaction following colposcopy for cervical
biopsy’30, introduce us to the sexuality issue of this
treatise. Others include condom use at sexual debut31,
contraception among male soldiers32, and cost
effectiveness of facility and home based HIV
voluntary counseling and testing in Uganda.33
Several interesting associations are noted: anti-
Chlamydia antibodies with ectopic pregnancy;34
abdomino-pelvic surgery and tubal pathology;35
recurrent pregnancy loss with chromosomal
abnormalities and hereditary thrombophilias.36
Other articles are on leiomyoma,37 emergency
maternal and newborn care,38 peripartum
hysterectomy,39 dexamethasone use for cesarean
sections,40 and the effect of unilateral vasectomy on
testosterone.41 Papers on substance abuse among
brothel-based female sex workers42;  and risky sexual
behavior among preparatory school students living
with their parents 43 completes this sexuality section.
Several papers on hygiene,44,45  histoplasmosis46,
tuberculosis diagnosis using GeneXpert®  complete
the series.47 Unique in this issue are letters to the editor
that touch on death and cadavers,48, 49, organo-
phosphate poisoning50, and visual disability.51
James K Tumwine
Editor in Chief
African Health Sciences
Makerere University, College of Health Sciences
References
1. Tumwine JK, Vandemaele K, Chungong S,
Richer M, Anker M, Ayana Y, et al. Clinical and
epidemiologic characteristics of noddingAfrican Health Sciences Vol 13  Issue 2 June  2013 ii
syndrome in Mundri County, southern Sudan.
African Health Sciences. 2012; 12(3): 242-8.
2. Spencer P, Palmer V, Jilek-Aall L. Nodding
syndrome: origins and natural history of a
longstanding epileptic disorder in sub-Saharan
Africa. African Health Sciences. 2013 13(2): 176 -
82.
3. Spencer PS, Vandemaele K, Richer M, Palmer
VS, Chungong S, Anker M, et al. Nodding
syndrome in Mundri county, South Sudan:
environmental, nutritional and infectious factors.
African Health Sciences. 2013; 13(2): 183 – 204.
4. Musisi S, Akena D, Nakimuli-Mpungu E, Abbo
C, Okello J. Neuropsychiatric perspectives on
nodding syndrome in northern Uganda: a case
series study and a review of the literature African
Health Sciences 2013; 13(2): 205 - 18.
5. Idro R, Musubire K A, Byamah Mutamba B,
Namusoke H, Muron J, Abbo C, et al.
Proposed guidelines for the management of
nodding syndrome. African Health Sciences 2013;
13(2): 219 - 32.
6. Winkler AS, Friedrich K, Velicheti S, Dharsee J,
König R, Nassri A, et al. MRI findings in people
with epilepsy and nodding syndrome in an area
endemic for onchocerciasis: an observational
study. African Health Sciences. 2013; 13(2): 529.
7. Duran A, Küçükbayrak A, Ocak T, Hakyemez
NI, Taþ T, Karadað M, et al. Evaluation of
patients with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic
fever in Bolu, Turkey. African Health Sciences.
2013; 13(2): 233-42.
8. Xiaoyang MO, Haiquan Z, Huanying Z,
Changwen K, Wenling Z, Yanyang Tu, et al.
Global analysis of differential expressed genes
in ECV304 Endothelial-like cells infected with
human cytomegalovirus. African Health Sciences.
2013; 13(2): 243-51.
9. Namasopo SOM, Ndugwa C, Tumwine JK.
Hepatitis C and blood transfusion among
children attending the Sickle Cell Clinic at
Mulago Hospital, Uganda African Health Sciences.
2013; 13(2): 255-60.
10. Mafuyai HB, Barshep Y, Audu BS, Kumbak D,
Ojobe TO. Baboons as potential reservoirs of
zoonotic gastrointestinal parasite infections at
Yankari National Park, Nigeria. African Health
Sciences. 2013; 13(3): 252-4.
11. Galal NM. Pattern of intravenous
immunoglobulins (IVIG) use in a pediatric
intensive care facility in a resource limited setting.
African Health Sciences. 2013; 13(2):261-5
12. Kohagne Tongué L, Mavoungou JF, Fako
Hendji GC, Pamba R, Mbatchi B. Is there a
suburban sleeping sickness in Libreville? African
Health Sciences. 2013; 13(2): 266-9.
13. Oppong Asante K, Oti-Boadi M. HIV/AIDS
knowledge among undergraduate university
students: implications for health education
programs in Ghana. African Health Sciences. 2013;
13(2): 270-7.
14. Hien H, Meda N, Diagbouga S, Zoure E,
Yaméogo S, Tamboura H, et al. 24-Month
adherence, tolerance and efficacy of once-a-
day antiretroviral therapy with didanosine,
lamivudine, and efavirenz in African HIV-1
infected children: ANRS 12103/12167. African
Health Sciences. 2013; 13(2): 287-94.
15. Sanyaolu OA, Fagbenro-Beyioku FA, Oyibo
WA, Badaru OS, et al. Malaria and HIV co-
infection and their effect on haemoglobin levels
from three health-care institutions in Lagos,
southwest Nigeria. African Health Sciences. 2013;
13(2):295-300
16. Mondal MNI, Shitan M. Factors affecting the
HIV/AIDS epidemic: an ecological analysis of
global data. African Health Sciences. 2013; 13(2):
301-10.
17. Mayanja BN, Kabunga E, Masiira B, Lubega
R, Kaleebu P, Seeley J. Personal barriers to
antiretroviral therapy adherence: case studies
from a rural Uganda prospective clinical cohort.
African Health Sciences. 2013; 13(2): 311-9.
18. Semenya SS, Potgieter MJ, LJC. E. Exotic and
indigenous problem plants species used, by the
Bapedi, to treat sexually transmitted infections
in Limpopo Province, South Africa. African
Health Sciences. 2013; 13(2): 320-6.
19. Parthasarathi V, G T. Developing antiviral
surgical gown using nonwoven fabrics for health
care sector. African Health Sciences. 2013; 13(2):
327-32.
20. Guclu E, Durmaz Y, Karabay O. Effect of
severe sepsis on platelet count and their indices.
African Health Sciences. 213; 13(2): 333-8.
21. Chen Y, Xu X, Liang J, Lin H. Relationship
between climate conditions and nosocomial
infection rates. African Health Sciences. 2013; 13(2):
339-43.
22.   Adorka M, Dikokole M, Mitonga KH, Allen
K. Healthcare providers’ attitudes and
perceptions in infection diagnosis and antibiotic
prescribing in public health institutions inAfrican Health Sciences Vol 13  Issue 2 June  2013 iii
Lesotho: a cross sectional survey. African Health
Sciences. 2013; 13(2): 344-50.
23. Oladeinde BH, Omoregie R, Olley M, Anunibe
JA, Onifade AA. A 5 - year surveillance of
wound infections at a rural tertiary hospital in
Nigeria. African Health Sciences. 2013; 13(2): 351-
6.
24. Jolayemi AT, Ojewole JAO. Comparative anti-
inflammatory properties of Capsaicin and ethyl-
aAcetate extract of Capsicum frutescens linn
[Solanaceae] in rats. African Health Sciences. 2013;
13(2): 357-61.
25. Gedik H, Yildirmak T, Simsek F, Kanturk A,
Aydýn D, Anca D, et al. The outcome of non-
carbapenem-based empirical antibacterial
therapy and VRE colonisation in patients with
hematological malignancies. African Health
Sciences. 2013; 13(2): 362-8.
26. Kassaye L, Genete G. Evaluation and
comparison of in-vitro dissolution profiles for
different brands of amoxicillin capsules. African
Health Sciences. 2013; 13(2): 369-75.
27. Siziya S, Muula AS, E R. Correlates of diarrhoea
among children below the age of 5 years in
Sudan. African Health Sciences. 2013; 13(2): 376-
83.
28. Eze CU, Agwu KK, Ezeasor DN, Ochie K,
Aronu AE, Agwuna KK, et al. Sonographic
biometry of spleen among school age children
in Nsukka, Southeast, Nigeria. African Health
Sciences. 2013; 13(2): 384-92.
29. Elbiss HM, George S, Sidky I, Abu-Zidan FM.
Gynaecological laparoscopy courses in the United Arab
Emirates. African Health Sciences. 2013; 13(2): 393-
401.
30. Okonkwo CA, Ezeanochie MC, Olagbuji BN. Physical
after effects and clients satisfaction following
colposcopy and cervical biopsy in a Nigerian
population. African Health Sciences. 2013; 13(2): 402-
6.
31. Tumwesigye NM, Ingham R, Holmes D. Condom
use at first and latest sexual events among young
people: evidence from a rural and peri-urban setting
in Uganda. African Health Sciences. 2013; 13(2): 407-
16.
32. Hussain NA, Akande TM, Osagbemi GK, Olasupo
ST, Salawu KY, Adebayo ET. Perception and practice
of contraception among male soldiers in Sobi
barracks, Ilorin, Nigeria. African Health Sciences. 2013;
13(2): 415-22.
33. Mulogo EM, Batwala V, Nuwaha F, Aden AS, Baine
OS. Cost effectiveness of facility and home based
HIV voluntary counseling and testing strategies in
rural Uganda. African Health Sciences. 2013; 13(2): 423-
9.
34. Agholor K, Omo-Aghoja L, Okonofua F. Association
of anti-Chlamydia antibodies with ectopic pregnancy
in Benin city, Nigeria: a case-control study. African
Health Sciences. 2013; 13(2): 430-40.
35. Famurewa O, Adeyemi A, Ibitoye O, Ogunsemoyin
O. Association between history of abdominopelvic
surgery and tubal pathology. African Health Sciences.
2013; 13(2): 441-6.
36. Ocak Z, Özlü T, Ozyurt O. Association of recurrent
pregnancy loss with chromosomal abnormalities and
hereditary thrombophilias. African Health Sciences.
2013; 13(2): 447-52.
37. Eze CU, Odumeru EA, Ochie K, Nwadike UI,
Agwuna KK. Sonographic assessment of pregnancy
co-existing with uterine leiomyoma in Owerri, Nigeria.
African Health Sciences. 2013; 13(2): 453-60.
38. Gisore P, Rono  B, Marete I, Nekesa-Mangeni J, Tenge
C SE, Mabeya H, et al. Commonly cited incentives in
the community implementation of the emergency
maternal and newborn care study in western Kenya.
African Health Sciences. 2013; 13(2): 461-8.
39. Wandabwa JN, Businge C, Longo-Mbenza B, Mdaka
ML, Kiondo P. Peripartum hysterectomy: two years
experience at Nelson Mandela Academic hospital,
Mthatha, Eastern Cape South Africa. African Health
Sciences. 2013; 13(2): 469-74.
40. Demirhan A, Tekelioglu YU, Akkaya A OT, Yildiz I,
Bayir H, Kocoglu H, et al. Antiemetic effects of
dexamethasone and ondansetron combination
during cesarean sections under spinal
anaesthesiAntiemetic effects of dexamethasone and
ondansetron combination during cesarean sections
under spinal anaesthesia. African Health Sciences. 2013;
13(2): 475-82.
41. Duru FIO, Ajayi S, Azu OO. The effect of unilateral
vasectomy on testosterone and testicular parameters
in the adult male African giant rat (Cricetomys
gambianus). African Health Sciences. 2013; 13(2): 475-
82.
42. Odukoya OO, Sekoni AO, Onajole AT, Upadhyay
RP. Alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking
pattern among brothel-based female sex workers in
two local government areas in Lagos state, Nigeria.
African Health Sciences. 2013; 13(2): 490-7.
43. Abebe M, Tsion A, Netsanet F. Living with parents
and risky sexual behaviors among preparatory school
students in Jimma zone, South west Ethiopia. African
Health Sciences. 2013; 13(2): 498-506.
44. Braimoh OB, Udeabor SE. Hand hygiene practices
among community Health Officers in Rivers State,
Nigeria. African Health Sciences. 2013; 13(2): 507-11.
45. Dumba R, Kaddu JB, Wabwire-Mangen F. Design
and implementation of participatory hygiene and
sanitation transformation (PHAST) as a strategy to
control soil-transmitted helminth infections in
Luweero, Uganda. African Health Sciences. 2013; 13(2):
512-7.African Health Sciences Vol 13  Issue 2 June  2013 iv
46. Ubesie AC, Okafo OC, Ibeziako NS, Onukwuli VO,
Mbanefo NR, Uzoigwe JC, et al. Disseminated
Histoplasmosis in a 13-year-old girl: a case report.
African Health Sciences. 2013; 13(2): 518-221.
47. 47. use of GeneXpert in the diagnosis of
smear-negative PTB: a case report. African Health
Sciences. 2013; 13(2): 522-4.
48. Walsh K. Death and cadavers: knowledge, skills
and attitudes will have to change. African Health
Sciences. 2013; 13(2): 525.
49. Charlier P, Brun L, Mamzer MF, Hervé C. How
to change West-African minds in order to increase
general acceptation of autopsies. African Health
Sciences. 2013; 13: 526.
50. Wiwanitkit V. Response to: Acute organo-
phosphorus pesticide poisoning in North Karnataka,
India: oxidative damage, haemoglobin level and total
leukocytes. African Health Sciences. 2013; 13(2): 527.
51. Mwanza JC. Response to: Causes of visual
disability among Central Africans with diabetes
mellitus. African Health Sciences. 2013; 13(2): 528.

24-Month adherence, tolerance and efficacy of once-aday antiretroviral therapy with didanosine, lamivudine, and efavirenz in African HIV-1 infected children: ANRS 12103/12167. African Health Sciences.

A 5 - year surveillance of wound infections at a rural tertiary hospital in Nigeria. African Health Sciences.

Alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking pattern among brothel-based female sex workers in two local government areas in Lagos state, Nigeria. African Health Sciences.

Antiemetic effects of dexamethasone and ondansetron combination during cesarean sections under spinal anaesthesiAntiemetic effects of dexamethasone and ondansetron combination during cesarean sections under spinal anaesthesia. African Health Sciences.

Association between history of abdominopelvic surgery and tubal pathology. African Health Sciences.

Association of anti-Chlamydia antibodies with ectopic pregnancy in Benin city, Nigeria: a case-control study. African Health Sciences.

Association of recurrent pregnancy loss with chromosomal abnormalities and hereditary thrombophilias. African Health Sciences.

Baboons as potential reservoirs of zoonotic gastrointestinal parasite infections at Yankari National Park, Nigeria. African Health Sciences.

Clinical and epidemiologic characteristics of noddingAfrican

Commonly cited incentives in the community implementation of the emergency maternal and newborn care study in western Kenya. African Health Sciences.

Comparative antiinflammatory properties of Capsaicin and ethylaAcetate extract of Capsicum frutescens linn [Solanaceae] in rats. African Health Sciences.

Condom use at first and latest sexual events among young people: evidence from a rural and peri-urban setting in Uganda. African Health Sciences.

Correlates of diarrhoea among children below the age of 5 years in Sudan. African Health Sciences.

Cost effectiveness of facility and home based HIV voluntary counseling and testing strategies in rural Uganda. African Health Sciences.

Death and cadavers: knowledge, skills and attitudes will have to change. African Health Sciences.

Design and implementation of participatory hygiene and sanitation transformation (PHAST) as a strategy to control soil-transmitted helminth infections

Developing antiviral surgical gown using nonwoven fabrics for health care sector. African Health Sciences.

Disseminated Histoplasmosis in a 13-year-old girl: a case report. African Health Sciences.

Effect of severe sepsis on platelet count and their indices.

Evaluation and comparison of in-vitro dissolution profiles for different brands of amoxicillin capsules. African Health Sciences.

Evaluation of patients with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in Bolu, Turkey. African Health Sciences.

Exotic and indigenous problem plants species used, by the Bapedi, to treat sexually transmitted infections in Limpopo Province, South Africa. African Health Sciences.

Factors affecting the HIV/AIDS epidemic: an ecological analysis of global data. African Health Sciences.

Global analysis of differential expressed genes in ECV304 Endothelial-like cells infected with human cytomegalovirus. African Health Sciences.

Gynaecological laparoscopy courses in the United Arab Emirates. African Health Sciences.

Hand hygiene practices among community Health Officers in Rivers State, Nigeria. African Health Sciences.

Healthcare providers’ attitudes and perceptions in infection diagnosis and antibiotic prescribing in public health institutions inAfrican

Hepatitis C and blood transfusion among children attending the Sickle Cell Clinic at Mulago Hospital, Uganda African Health Sciences.

HIV/AIDS knowledge among undergraduate university students: implications for health education programs in Ghana. African Health Sciences.

How to change West-African minds in order to increase general acceptation of autopsies. African Health Sciences.

Is there a suburban sleeping sickness in Libreville? African Health Sciences.

Living with parents and risky sexual behaviors among preparatory school students in Jimma zone, South west Ethiopia. African Health Sciences.

Malaria and HIV coinfection and their effect on haemoglobin levels from three health-care institutions in Lagos, southwest Nigeria. African Health Sciences.

MRI findings in people with epilepsy and nodding syndrome in an area endemic for onchocerciasis: an observational study. African Health Sciences.

Neuropsychiatric perspectives on nodding syndrome in northern Uganda: a case series study and a review of the literature African Health Sciences

Nodding syndrome in Mundri county, South Sudan: environmental, nutritional and infectious factors. African Health Sciences.

Nodding syndrome: origins and natural history of a longstanding epileptic disorder in sub-Saharan Africa. African Health Sciences.

Pattern of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) use in a pediatric intensive care facility in a resource limited setting. African Health Sciences.

Perception and practice of contraception among male soldiers in Sobi barracks,

Peripartum hysterectomy: two years experience at Nelson Mandela Academic hospital, Mthatha, Eastern Cape South Africa. African Health Sciences.

Personal barriers to antiretroviral therapy adherence: case studies from a rural Uganda prospective clinical cohort. African Health Sciences.

Physical after effects and clients satisfaction following colposcopy and cervical biopsy in a Nigerian population. African Health Sciences.

Proposed guidelines for the management of nodding syndrome. African Health Sciences

Relationship between climate conditions and nosocomial infection rates. African Health Sciences.

Response to: Acute organophosphorus pesticide poisoning in North Karnataka, India: oxidative damage, haemoglobin level and total leukocytes. African Health Sciences.

Response to: Causes of visual disability among Central Africans with diabetes mellitus. African Health Sciences.

Sonographic assessment of pregnancy co-existing with uterine leiomyoma in Owerri, Nigeria. African Health Sciences.

Sonographic biometry of spleen among school age children in Nsukka, Southeast, Nigeria. African Health Sciences.

The effect of unilateral vasectomy on testosterone and testicular parameters in the adult male African giant rat (Cricetomys gambianus). African Health Sciences.

The outcome of noncarbapenem-based empirical antibacterial therapy and VRE colonisation in patients with hematological malignancies. African Health Sciences.

use of GeneXpert in the diagnosis of smear-negative PTB: a case report. African Health Sciences.

Nodding Syndrome, Infections and Sexuality

http://ihi.eprints.org/2209/1/Nodding_syndrome.pdf

Nodding Syndrome, Infections and Sexuality

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

Digital Library of the Tanzania Health Community